World Cup diary

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

Lawes fined

COURTNEY LAWES has become the third England player to be fined for wearing a branded gumshield during the Rugby World Cup.

The Northampton lock follows Manu Tuilagi and England captain Lewis Moody in being sanctioned for a breach of the tournament’s strict commercial regulations.

Tuilagi incurred a NZ$10,000 (€5,800) fine after the victory over Georgia and the England camp were warned about increased fines for any future breaches.

As a result, it is understood that Moody and Lawes were fined double the amount. An RFU spokesman said the breaches were oversights and not intentional.

Home benefits: Kiwis bend the rules

THIS SHOULDN’T come as a major surprise but, clearly, there is a different law for New Zealand and the rest of the competing nations at the World Cup.

Unless the IRB have changed their own rules mid-tournament, then the All Blacks are cheating by bringing openside flanker Matt Todd and centre Robbie Fruean into camp in recent weeks (amongst others).

“Matt Todd is part of our wider training group and trained with us in Christchurch, as did other players down there,” assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed this week. “We have had other wider training group players come in for training at all the venues.

“You may have seen Robbie Fruean in Wellington or Christchurch.

“Matt Todd is in Auckland and it just made sense to have him here. That doesn’t mean Richie’s (McCaw) foot is worse than it was. It doesn’t mean Richie won’t play on Sunday. It just means Matt Todd is in Auckland and that we wanted to use him for training as opposition. Hopefully that puts that away and we can talk about the game.”

The IRB were very clear in explaining their 48-hour rule to this reporter before the World Cup. That is the time lag in place before a player can replace someone injured in each 30-man squad. This was to ensure geography didn’t become a tactical advantage. Of course, New Zealand aren’t replacing anyone they are just adding to their 30-man squad.

“All tournament we’ve used opposition at training – (Matt) is part of that,” Hansen continued. One of the benefits of being at home? “Yes, it is,” said Hansen, pictured (right) with Todd this week.

England number eight Thomas Waldrom was flown out during the Pool stages after concerns over Nick Easter’s fitness but was not permitted to join the squad until he was classed as Andrew Sheridan’s replacement.

Seemingly, the All Blacks are doing as they see fit to recapture the William Webb Ellis trophy.

HANSEN WAS also asked this week which player – Richie McCaw or Quade Cooper – has had the worst going over from the media?

“Quade’s been having a good go (ing over) but he seems to have taken it on the chin. A good Kiwi boy.” The Australian number 10 of course was born and initially raised in Tokoroa, Waikato.

Welsh rare skit: Burley lightens mood

THE NATION needed a pick me up this week and one, eh, rugby pundit certainly delivered; forget the legends that are Brent Pope and George Hook.

Take a bow Ken Burley.

Burley, a fictional character who sounds a lot like the Newstalk football guy, appeared on Welsh radio before and after last weekend’s quarter-final.

“I think I see some sunshine boys in the Welsh pack . . . O’Brien and Ferris have been playing like Terminators.”

The Welsh response was supreme confidence.

“That’s the nature of Wales,” Ken continued. “That blithe but brittle arrogance. We’ve seen it many times. We are harking back to an era of dominance that is pre- decimalised currency . . . I’ll say Ireland 27 Wales 12.”

Former Welsh centre Tom Shanklin was one of the interviewers primed to make Mr Burley eat humble pie. They eventually got the joke: “You know Stephen Ferris is bone on bone in one of his knees? So what did Wales do? They picked him up and flung him to the ground. It’s no way to treat a man in his condition . . . you can have your poisoned cup.”

To listen go to: www.facebook.com/offtheball

Old school: Bale praises pal Warburton

TOTTENHAM AND Wales soccer star Gareth Bale is hoping his former classmate Sam Warburton will lead the country to victory in today’s World Cup semi-final against France.

Bale and Wales skipper Warburton were former classmates at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff and Bale is proud of the flanker.

“He has always been good at sport,” said Bale. “He was in the football team and the rugby team. He’s done very well.

“He’s the captain of the national team and has been playing amazing. It’s great for him and for Wales rugby and hopefully they can get to the final.

“It’s great having two people come out of Whitchurch High School getting to play for their national team.”

Acid test: Cruden thrust into limelight

ALL EYES will be fixed on Aaron Cruden tomorrow.

At 5ft 8in and under 13 stone Cruden is tiny in stature by New Zealand rugby standards, but he is an exceptionally skilful player who was primed to become Dan Carter’s understudy when Graham Henry picked him for the 2010 Tri-Nations and subsequent tour.

However, he didn’t meet the required standard and was dropped.

Really, the 2009 Junior IRB world player of the year is fourth choice behind Carter, Colin Slade and the English Premiership player of the month, Nick Evans.

But now tomorrow he is number one.

At least Piri Weepu will be doing the kicking.

The real fear is his exposure to the collisions as some youtube clips have proved. Check out his Super 15 debut last year against the Auckland Blues. Fifty minutes gone and Cruden comes on for a Hurricanes attacking scrum. With Weepu inside him and Ma Nonu outside, he attacks the gainline only to be crushed by Benson Stanley. Play had to be stopped so the ensuing ruck doesn’t trample on the little man.

He was winded.

NEW ZEALAND star Dan Carter has undergone surgery on the groin injury that ended his World Cup. The All Blacks outhalf tore a tendon in his groin during New Zealand’s final practice session before tackling Pool A opponents Canada 12 days ago.

He had an operation in Melbourne on Monday, and flew back to Auckland two days later, the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed yesterday. Carter says the surgery to repair the tendon “went well” and he will now be concentrating on his rehabilitation.

The graduated rehabilitation programme will involve re-establishing normal walking with strengthening exercises, with a view to progressing on to running and kicking over an eight-week period. He hopes to be fully recovered after about 12 weeks.

Take a bow,Ralph

WELSH MEDIA outlet the Western Mailhas selected their 50 greatest rugby World Cup players. We were curious to see how we got on. The answer – One and number 49 at that. Not Brian O'Driscoll or Keith Wood but the man who kicked 68 points in four matches during 1991. Take a bow Ralph Keyes. Jonah Lomu was number one.

Sonny, Pin Williams

"There's a lot of ordinary things happening here in Australia at the moment, the carbon tax has come in. This is a feel-good for all the kids at home, they can get their pins out, they can cut out the doll. It just cheers the whole community up." – Ben English of the Daily Telegraph(Australia) explains why they included a voodoo doll cut-out of Sonny Bill Williams in a recent edition.